Counting Crows – August and Everything After: Live at Town Hall (Blu-ray Review)
Imagine my excitement when August and Everything After: Live at Town Hall (Blu-ray) (Eagle Rock Entertainment) was released on August 29, 2011 although recorded in 2007 at Town Hall in New York City! My wait for the first ever Blu-ray video from one of my favorite bands was over! I was really excited getting my hands on this and I was not disappointed! In fact, you may read all of our other offerings from the Eagle Rock Entertainment bunch on our website. We featured Sheryl Crow, Heaven and Hell, Primal Scream, and more. When it comes to concert Blu-rays they know how to do it.
Film 
For you Counting Crow virgins, the performance consisted of: Adam Duritz (vocals); Jim Bogios (vocals, drums, percussion); David Bryson (vocals, electric and acoustic guitars,); David Immergluck (vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin, pedal steel guitar); Millard Powers (vocals, piano, bass); Charles Gillingham (vocals, piano, harmonica, accordion, Hammond B-3 organ); Dan Vickrey (electric and acoustic guitar).
First the video is amazing, you feel like you are in the first row. It gives a feeling of almost a private concert with the band tearing through their debut album track by track and holding everyone’s attention as if you were at the live show.
Watching Adam put his emotions into the songs gave a feeling of intimacy I have never experienced at a concert before and well, let’s just say, I never would have thought I would have wicked thoughts about him (dreadlocks and all). His facial expressions alone are worth watching this DVD from beginning to end and again.
Secondly, the audio is dazzling as well. All the music came through crystal clear and I was feeling like I should put my cell phone in the air (do they even sell lighters anymore?). The song “Thunder Road” converging into “Rain King” was badass to me and anyone who adores these songs will, hopefully, agree with me.
The interviews were fun to watch and sometimes made me feel as if I was a personal friend of Adam’s with his openness about his songs and his own words regarding each one. I have always enjoyed the idea of getting to know the people behind the music and I was not let down with this one.
A fan of Counting Crows? Then don’t miss this gem.
Setlist:
1) Round Here
2) Omaha
3) Mr. Jones
4) Introduction to Perfect Blue Buildings
5) Perfect Blue Buildings
6) Anna Begins
7) Time and Time Again
8) Rain King
9) Introduction to Sullivan Street
10) Sullivan Street
11) Ghost Train
12) Murder of One
Video 
Counting Crows: August and Everything After is presented in Eagle Rock’s usual 1080i, 1.78:1, format. Considering the performance is more of an intimate one, I found no irregularities in the bulk of the show. Black levels are deep and inky, contrast never runs hot considering the lighting can get a bit tricky here and there. Flesh tones look as natural as they can – these are musicians after all, so that helps. The video presentation is consistent throughout.
Audio
Counting Crows: August and Everything After is presented in DTS-HD MA 5.1. Again, for such an intimate club gig, the lossless track delivers on all fronts. Lead vocals by Duritz are clear and never muffle, even after the crowd noise kicks in. There are some moments where they join in, but the sound never falters during those scenes. Instruments are equally balance and never run into each other, and the subwoofer handles the lows without overpowering the stage. The Counting Crows sound great on Blu-ray.
Special Features 
Counting Crows: August and Everything After contains just one special feature and this an interview that runs about 41 minutes long. It’s presented in HD 1080i, so that may be worth your while. I wish there was more stuff on the Blu-ray, but oh well.
- In Depth with Adam Duritz and Charlie Gillingham
Final Thoughts
Ladies, if you’re a fan of the Counting Crows like me, and you own a Blu-ray player then you know what you need to do. Get on this train before you get left behind. Counting Crows: August and Everything After is a great show and the Blu-ray offers great video and sound, but skimp somewhat on the extras. Check it out!
Order Counting Crows – August and Everything After: Live at Town Hall on Blu-ray!
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